Secondary menu

Search

Follow Us

News

You are here

SEIA is the solar energy industry’s go-to source for the latest coverage on solar power, including U.S. and international policy, research and polls, business and financing trends, and more. Our staff strives to support the media covering solar energy issues and guide our members on effective media outreach with clear statements, background materials, news and multimedia resources.

SEIA is committed to informing policymakers, the media, and the American public about the benefits of solar energy for today’s communities, our economy, and our country.

Five years ago, North Carolina became the first state in the Southeast to set a renewable energy and efficiency standard. The 12.5 percent by 2021 standard is a great goal, and we should keep raising the bar.

FERC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to update its SGIP. Among several changes, it proposes to modify the Supplemental Review process; making it similar to the California Rule 21 process - a 100% of minimum load screen along with two additional technical screens that evaluate a generators' impact on safety, reliability and power quality. FERC will host an additional workshop and provide an opportunity for written comments on the proposed changes before finalizing the rule.

On January 16, 2013, the Ohio Public Utility Commission staff issued proposed revisions to that state's interconnection procedures for comment. A supplemental review process with a 100% of minimum load penetration screen and two additional technical screens are among the changes proposed. Comments are due later in January with reply comments in February. Read the full text.

In response to a request from SEIA, on January 17, 2013, FERC issued proposed changes to its rules to expedite and reduce the cost of interconnection for wholesale distributed solar generation up to 20 MW. The proposed rule will allow solar projects that meet certain technical screens to qualify for “fast track” interconnection while maintaining electric system reliability and safety. The proposed rule has the potential to double the amount of solar generation eligible for fast track interconnection. Comments to FERC are due in 120 days.

Arizona has the best solar resource in the country. Outside of California, no other state boasts as much installed solar capacity, and Arizona has added thousands of solar jobs in recent years, making solar energy a true homegrown success story.

As part of its SunShot Initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a new funding solicitation focused on improving the accuracy of solar forecasting. The agency will give out up to $9 million over three years.

Installing solar power at their Shelter Island, N.Y., Ace Hardware store seemed like the right thing to do for the planet, say owners David Gurney and Meredith Page. But now that the brother-and-sister ownership team have the system, they're finding that it's also good for their wallets.

Growth in renewables manufacturing is about to slow, and thousands of jobs will be lost, if Congress doesn't level the playing field between renewables and traditional fossil energy sources, renewables advocates told the National Hydropower Association conference April 18 in Washington DC.